In defense of the Boy Scouts, I feel this article {gma.yahoo/blogs/abc-blogs/obese-boy-scouts-banned-jamboree-195358725.html} was extremely misleading. BSA has had a height/weight policy in place for many years, but it applies only to the four "high adventure" bases (a category which includes the new Jamboree site in WV). These locations are in remote areas and offer a much higher degree of physical activity, and therefore the fitness requirements for both boys and leaders are more strenuous. I feel the policy is in place more for the leaders who are MUCH more likely than boys to be an unhealthy weight. Any facility that offers activities with a degree of physical risk have the responsibility to ensure that their participants will be safe. This extends from minimum height requirements for roller coasters to maximum weight requirements for ziplining. These policies are in place to ensure the safety of the participants, not as a discriminatory practice. I am attaching a link to the standard BSA health chart which clearly states their maximum height/weight standards which are QUITE reasonable. They are in no way based on age, as the yahoo/abc article implies. philmontscoutranch.org/Camping/WhoCanCome/HealthMedicalRequirements.aspx You can also read more about the Jamboree site and its specific physical demands here https://summit.scouting.org/en/Jamboree2013/Pages/Be-Prepared.aspx
Posted on: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 16:39:30 +0000
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